Being African Not An Excuse For Mediocrity

Being Africans or Zimbabweans is No Excuse ! BY Dumisani O. Nkomo The advent and rapid advance of Information Communication Technology has not only reduced the influence of the modern nation state as we know it but has placed a burden of responsibility for Africans to match global standards in any and every field of human endeavour . The global citizen is characterized by access to the best of information and other products from any part of the world at any given time .The time for sympathetic consumption of African goods and services is over as global citizens have access to the best services from any part of the world . A young Zimbabwean of 16 or 18 will consume a media product not because it is Zimbabwean or African but it is the best . What does this mean for the film industry for example ? . It places a tremendous burden to produce local films and television products that are able to compete with products from Europe , the United States , Nigeria ,South Korea and India .The availability of literally hundreds of television channels , You Tube and other online platforms means that Africans do not have to necessarily watch African films just because they are African . Whilst we are Africans and should love being Africans , our love for our African-nnes cannot replace the demands that competition now places on us as a global village . A fourteen year old teenager will not care whether a film is from South Africa , Nigeria or Europe but will switch to the best television channel and the best action movie . He will not be moved by sympathy for African movies or films but by the desire to watch quality . This places a disproportionate burden for example on the African and specifically the Zimbabwean film industry because it means that with budgets which are a hundred times less than American films they have to produce equally competitive films because the global citizen has the luxury of watching anything anywhere and is only limited by lack of access to internet or digital satellite television which may be a deterrent . The average African is increasingly becoming a global citizen as evidenced by their tastes and preferences accentuated by the exponential growth of social media which has reduced the distance between countries . Consequently social and business transactions can be done literally within seconds .It is possible for one to get advice on film production from someone in New York as long as one is sufficiently connected than it may be to get tips from a producer in Harare .It is also possible to share files and even footage via internet within hours if not minutes thus reducing the need for travel and so forth .The world is evolving and content and product producers also need to rapidly adapt or else they will be reduced to a modern day Jurassic Park starring as latter day Dinosaurs . A movie lover does not care whether a film is made in Timbuktu or New York as long it provides entertainment value . Bigger African countries such as Nigeria and South Africa have the luxury of relatively large populations which provide ready markets for their products but Zimbabwe ,Malawi , Zambia , Lesotho ,Botswana and Swaziland do not boast of such advantages and thus have to produce competitively . In the film industry Nigeria or Nolly wood has emerged as one of the largest players in the world but aided by the fact that Nigeria has a large population which can consume a vast quantity of media products such as D.V.D. ‘s in a short space of time . Zimbabwe and other countries have to start producing film content that is of global quality capable of competing with the best in the continent and recent call for proposals or concepts by Multi Choice for Zimbabwean based content for the African market is a step in the right direction . We cannot continue shooting so called movies over three days using home video cameras and hope to compete globally . There has to be deliberate step by the government to invest in the film sector and to incentivize film and arts corporate sponsors by offering tax waivers and other incentives to grow this industry which has the potential of generating downstream economic activity .The long and the short though is that nobody will watch a Zimbabwean film , read a Zimbabwean book ,book a Zimbabwean hotel just because it is Zimbabwean .The global citizen demands quality service and quality products without apology .The global citizen demands good customer service whether they are at Heathrow Airport ,O.R Tambo AIRPORT or Joshua Mqabuko Airport . It is unacceptable for example for a flight to be delayed by up to two or so hours without the powers that be proffering an apology or explanation . We cannot hide behind being Zimbabwean or Africans it is just not acceptable .We cannot be made to watch sub standard content on Z.B.C or anywhere else when the global citizen can just switch to another channel and not be subjected to poor picture quality ,questionable sound and endless propaganda . There are just too many alternatives for people to choose from now and the last option will be poor local content . Local content should compete with the best so that we are also able to export our culture , values and language .Pan Africanism or patriotism cannot be an excuse for sub standard material or content . It is increasingly difficult for locals to enjoy local soccer given the easy access to British, Italian and Spanish and German soccer at sports bars and courtesy of satellite television . That is why the average soccer fan can tell you the whole Manchester United , Chelsea or Liverpool F.C line up but stutter and stammer when asked to name any five Highlanders or Dynamos or even Whawha United or is it F.C players . Would i prefer to watch my favourite team Highlanders F.C playing slow motion soccer at Barbourfields stadium or watch my other favourite team Liverpool at Anfield with rich picture and sound quality not to mention better standards of football ? The answer is obvious and points to the imperative of delivering quality products that are able to compete globally . Neo colonialism and Neo Liberalism are realities but these realities should not stop us from liberating ourselves from ourselves . The world will not lower the bar of excellence to accommodate us , we need to raise the bar ourselves . Mayibuye!!!

Dumisani O Nkomo: OPPOSITION PARTIES IN ZIM HAVE BETRAYED THE PEOPLE...

Dumisani O Nkomo: OPPOSITION PARTIES IN ZIM HAVE BETRAYED THE PEOPLE...: Opposition Parties Have Betrayed The People Opposition political parties in Zimbabwe especially the various M.D.C formations are a disapp...

OPPOSITION PARTIES IN ZIM HAVE BETRAYED THE PEOPLE

Opposition Parties Have Betrayed The People Opposition political parties in Zimbabwe especially the various M.D.C formations are a disappointing lot that have continued to let down the people and the struggle for a just, democratic Zimbabwe . Instead of focussing on mobilizing the people on issues affecting them they have continued to major on minor things and in effect have taken opposition politics back to the mid nineties .They have become a micro cosmism of ZANU P.F only that they are a lot weaker since they do not enjoy incumbency and the support of the coercive structures of the state such as the army ,police and intelligence forces .I would like to point out several factors that have weakened the opposition and continue to weaken opposition parties especially the various M.D.C ‘s .The foremost reason why the opposition parties have and will fail is their failure to unite as pointed out by ZAPU leader Dumiso Dabengwa .The fact is the opposition will never win elections unless they form a formidable united front capable of challenging and defeating ZANU P.F . United Front The only way the opposition can unseat ZANU P.F in the next elections is by forming a formidable issue based united democratic front which has segments of progressive breakaway ZANU P.F members and a whole lot of new leaders between the ages of 25 to fifty .This united democratic front should be inclusive including the M.D.C –T ,M.D.C-Renewal ,M.D.C Green ,N.C.A and ZAPU as well as progressive individuals and institutions .I do not agree with many antics of the M.D.C –T including blatant blundering by their leader Morgan Tsvangirai and cases of violence ,intimidation etc within their party but the fact is a united front without Tsvangirai and his party will be very weak . Likewise a United Front without M.D.C Renewal and M.D.C – Green will be very weak because the two parties have rich intellectual capital and political history but questionable grassroots support . ZAPU would be crucial with it’s rich ideology and links with former and current members of the military establishment .No one should come into this united front thinking that they ware or will be the automatic leader because it may be actually be the best idea to choose somebody who is not even leading any of those parties to lead this new coalition so as to do away with all the history and excess baggage . The M.D.C –T has let down the people of Zimbabwe by engaging in an exercise of political suicide by literally donating 21 seats to ZANU P.F after “expelling “21 M.P’s .If the M.D.C – t decides not to contest in the by elections it will be literally donating the seats to ZANU P.F hence betraying the people by failing to defend democratic space that they gained through the 2013 elections . If they participate they will confirm their status as perpetual flip flops and masters of political acrobatics as a party that has no permanent position on anything and everything except being in perpetual opposition to anything and everything .The recalling of the 21 will also adversely affect any chances of a united opposition for the elections much to the joy of ZANU P.F . The U.M.D.C is being affected by small mindedness ,personal interests and in some cases personal ambitions which override capacity .This will lead to a weak and fragmented opposition .Obviously infiltration can never be ruled out as it is expected in politics in any country .To enter into the rough domain of African politics and not expect infiltration would be the height of political naivety hence opposition parties need sound intelligence infrastructure and stratagem built into their systems in order to deal with this ever present threat Representation Age number of opposition members of parliament have been established themselves as Missing Persons [M.P’s ] both in their constituencies and in parliament . Nauseatingly they enjoy being called “honourables”without understanding the first thing about being honourable . May late uncle Sihambile Jeqe Stephen Nkomo was an M.P for over 20 years and i don’t remember him even once wanting to be called honourable unlike this undeserving horde of .M.P’s who have failed to hold constituency feed back meetings for the their constituents to hear their grievances or to give feed back on parliamentary proceedings . Some have failed to visit their constituencies and a vast majority have decided to be virtually non speaking , non acting legislators in parliament . This is unlike the days of Micah Bhebhe ,Sidney Malunga ,Byron Hove ,Edward Ndlovu and Lazaruzas Nzarayabani who gave ministers a tough time in parliament even though there were only one or two news outlets at the time .There are exceptions of course like Jesse Majome and few others but most of the others have failed to represent the people in parliament . With the advent of Information Communication Technology one would have thought opposition members of parliament would take advantage of Twitter and Face book to engage their constituents but alas they are waiting for the next elections before they open Face book pages and Vote so and so Twitter accounts .Those who are active in social media expend their energy on internal character assassination ,petty fights amongst themselves and social media subsidized ego trips .Our opposition political parties have failed to resonate with issues affecting ordinary people and have failed dismally to take advantage of factionalism within ZANU P.F and instead they continue to disintegrate like amoebas or is it replicate . Unlike in South Africa ,the United States and the United Kingdom where politicians actively contribute their views on pertinent issues in newspaper columns so that people understand their policies and perspectives most of out opposition politicians seem to unable or unwilling or unable and unwilling to engage these mediums .It was therefore pleasing to see Moses Mzila Ndlovu writing on the Maleme issue in a local paper .Others that have done well in this regard include David Coltart ,Eddie Cross ,Nhlanhla Ncube and Obert Gutu . The times have changed and we need leaders that can engage the public on issues by taking their ideas onto public platforms .

Dumisani O Nkomo: Dumisani O Nkomo: STOP THE HIGHWAY ROBBERS

Dumisani O Nkomo: Dumisani O Nkomo: STOP THE HIGHWAY ROBBERS: Dumisani O Nkomo: STOP THE HIGHWAY ROBBERS : STOP THE UNIFORMED HIGHWAY ROBBERS The number of roadblocks and policeman on the roads is just ...

Opposition Parties Have Betrayed The People Opposition political parties in Zimbabwe especially the various M.D.C formations are a disappointing lot that have continued to let down the people and the struggle for a just, democratic Zimbabwe . Instead of focussing on mobilizing the people on issues affecting them they have continued to major on minor things and in effect have taken opposition politics back to the mid nineties .They have become a micro cosmism of ZANU P.F only that they are a lot weaker since they do not enjoy incumbency and the support of the coercive structures of the state such as the army ,police and intelligence forces .I would like to point out several factors that have weakened the opposition and continue to weaken opposition parties especially the various M.D.C ‘s .The foremost reason why the opposition parties have and will fail is their failure to unite as pointed out by ZAPU leader Dumiso Dabengwa .The fact is the opposition will never win elections unless they form a formidable united front capable of challenging and defeating ZANU P.F . United Front The only way the opposition can unseat ZANU P.F in the next elections is by forming a formidable issue based united democratic front which has segments of progressive breakaway ZANU P.F members and a whole lot of new leaders between the ages of 25 to fifty .This united democratic front should be inclusive including the M.D.C –T ,M.D.C-Renewal ,M.D.C Green ,N.C.A and ZAPU as well as progressive individuals and institutions .I do not agree with many antics of the M.D.C –T including blatant blundering by their leader Morgan Tsvangirai and cases of violence ,intimidation etc within their party but the fact is a united front without Tsvangirai and his party will be very weak . Likewise a United Front without M.D.C Renewal and M.D.C – Green will be very weak because the two parties have rich intellectual capital and political history but questionable grassroots support . ZAPU would be crucial with it’s rich ideology and links with former and current members of the military establishment .No one should come into this united front thinking that they ware or will be the automatic leader because it may be actually be the best idea to choose somebody who is not even leading any of those parties to lead this new coalition so as to do away with all the history and excess baggage . The M.D.C –T has let down the people of Zimbabwe by engaging in an exercise of political suicide by literally donating 21 seats to ZANU P.F after “expelling “21 M.P’s .If the M.D.C – t decides not to contest in the by elections it will be literally donating the seats to ZANU P.F hence betraying the people by failing to defend democratic space that they gained through the 2013 elections . If they participate they will confirm their status as perpetual flip flops and masters of political acrobatics as a party that has no permanent position on anything and everything except being in perpetual opposition to anything and everything .The recalling of the 21 will also adversely affect any chances of a united opposition for the elections much to the joy of ZANU P.F . The U.M.D.C is being affected by small mindedness ,personal interests and in some cases personal ambitions which override capacity .This will lead to a weak and fragmented opposition .Obviously infiltration can never be ruled out as it is expected in politics in any country .To enter into the rough domain of African politics and not expect infiltration would be the height of political naivety hence opposition parties need sound intelligence infrastructure and stratagem built into their systems in order to deal with this ever present threat Representation Age number of opposition members of parliament have been established themselves as Missing Persons [M.P’s ] both in their constituencies and in parliament . Nauseatingly they enjoy being called “honourables”without understanding the first thing about being honourable . May late uncle Sihambile Jeqe Stephen Nkomo was an M.P for over 20 years and i don’t remember him even once wanting to be called honourable unlike this undeserving horde of .M.P’s who have failed to hold constituency feed back meetings for the their constituents to hear their grievances or to give feed back on parliamentary proceedings . Some have failed to visit their constituencies and a vast majority have decided to be virtually non speaking , non acting legislators in parliament . This is unlike the days of Micah Bhebhe ,Sidney Malunga ,Byron Hove ,Edward Ndlovu and Lazaruzas Nzarayabani who gave ministers a tough time in parliament even though there were only one or two news outlets at the time .There are exceptions of course like Jesse Majome and few others but most of the others have failed to represent the people in parliament . With the advent of Information Communication Technology one would have thought opposition members of parliament would take advantage of Twitter and Face book to engage their constituents but alas they are waiting for the next elections before they open Face book pages and Vote so and so Twitter accounts .Those who are active in social media expend their energy on internal character assassination ,petty fights amongst themselves and social media subsidized ego trips .Our opposition political parties have failed to resonate with issues affecting ordinary people and have failed dismally to take advantage of factionalism within ZANU P.F and instead they continue to disintegrate like amoebas or is it replicate . Unlike in South Africa ,the United States and the United Kingdom where politicians actively contribute their views on pertinent issues in newspaper columns so that people understand their policies and perspectives most of out opposition politicians seem to unable or unwilling or unable and unwilling to engage these mediums .It was therefore pleasing to see Moses Mzila Ndlovu writing on the Maleme issue in a local paper .Others that have done well in this regard include David Coltart ,Eddie Cross ,Nhlanhla Ncube and Obert Gutu . The times have changed and we need leaders that can engage the public on issues by taking their ideas onto public platforms .

Dumisani O Nkomo: STOP THE HIGHWAY ROBBERS

Dumisani O Nkomo: STOP THE HIGHWAY ROBBERS: STOP THE UNIFORMED HIGHWAY ROBBERS The number of roadblocks and policeman on the roads is just not acceptable for a country that is not at w...

STOP THE HIGHWAY ROBBERS

STOP THE UNIFORMED HIGHWAY ROBBERS The number of roadblocks and policeman on the roads is just not acceptable for a country that is not at war [at least we hope the police are not at war with us the citizens ] and some of the actions of the traffic policemen are reminiscent of the actions of the legendary highway robbers that terrorized residents of Victorian England . Today motorists and passengers in Zimbabwe are not terrorized by masked robbers armed with swords or rifles but uniformed and at times uninformed police officers who are more common than traffic lights .Some places such as 12 the avenue and Hillside in Bulawayo now have permanent roadblocks manned by at least four government departments including the local municipality . Whilst it is acceptable that the police have to carry out their constitutional mandate of maintaining law and order on the roads the Zimbabwean scenario is now just unacceptable and tantamount to modern day highway robbery carried out in the guise of enforcing traffic regulations whilst actually siphoning increasingly poor motorists with endless spot fines .The actions of the police have attracted the attention of senior public officials such as Justice Francis Bere and Vice President Emmerson Mnangwagwa who have spoken out against this expression of obscenity by a component of state apparatus which is supposed to be the depository of public confidence and security .In his address to the 2015 Masvingo Legal Year Justice Bere described the practise of spot fines and confiscation of vehicles [popularly called confistication by police officers] as illegal citing section 356 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act .Quite clearly the police now see cash strapped and stressed motorists as a source of revenue to finance either the activities of the police or to line the pockets of a cabal of corrupt police officers whilst milking the fiscus of much needed revenue .The practise of spot fines whist administratively noble is not sufficiently legal as it has occasioned the official abuse of Zimbabweans who are subjected to endless roadblocks and fines .It is actually an open secret that some motorists have resorted to bribing their way through roadblocks and in essence roadblocks have become the seedbed of corruption . Financial Probity and Stewardship The public has a right to know how much of these spot fines are collected every month and whether or not they are deposited into the Consolidated Revenue Fund as espoused in section 302 of the Zimbabwean Constitution which states that : There s is a Consolidated Revenue Fund into which must be paid all fees ,taxes and borrowings and all other revenue of the Government whatever their source ,unless an Act of Parliament provides otherwise . The scourge of corruption has made the practise of spot fines at variance with the norms of good Financial Management which should is provided for in section 298 [d] of the Zimbabwean constitution . It is in this context that i propose that the Police should embark upon a programme of educating motorists about various laws governing them including but not limited to the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act ,the Road Traffic Act and relevant statutory instruments . The current ambush antics of the police who are quick to quote sections of the law to clueless motorists is not acceptable in a modern democracy .In this age of the internet it should be possible for the Police to have interactive Face book and Twitter accounts to share such information or even use applications such as Whats App to inform the motoring public about their obligations .I also propose that the Auditor General carries out an audit of Zimbabwe Republic Police specifically focussing on Spot Fines as a revenue collecting tool vis a vis good corporate governance . In the long term the police should consider investing in cameras and other surveillance equipment as in the case in other countries .This will increase efficiency and reduce corruption on the roads . The development of a virtual electronic system that can track deviant motorist should be in the 10 year strategy plan of the police to ensure technologically compliant policing . In short however there are just too many roadblocks in Zimbabwe and too many traffic policemen and this has become outright harassment of ordinary citizens